Durham was one of the few metropolitan areas in the country to gain jobs in 2008, according to N.C. State University economist Michael Walden.
But this is a new year.
Speaking to the city budget retreat this morning on the state of the national and North Carolina economies, Walden said Durham's job base grew by .6 percent last year, thanks largely to the education and health-care base of its economy.
But unemployment went up from 3.7 percent in December 2007 to 6.1 percent in December 2008, and Walden predicted the Triangle's rate will peak at 8 to 9 percent before the recession is over.
That's still the best prospect in North Carolina. Even Charlotte, Walden said, will see unemployment between 12 and 13 percent.
Comments
Durham and NC
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 05:28 — VeronikaThat sounds a bit controversial. I think North Carolina has always been a state with minimum unemployment opportunities issues. Besides it is one of the states where escorts employment is legally allowed, and that is only permitted in 3 states of the USA. And even through the crisis it remains a state of employment stability and rich opportunities.